gregz wrote:

Ron wrote:
On Tuesday, February 12, 2013 4:13:05 PM UTC-8, Ron wrote:
I use-- or try to use-- a Radio Shack cassette microphone to record
tapes on a Panasonic tape recorder. I don't need an expensive mic, but I
want one that works and this one only works sporadically. I'm beginning
to notice that these Radio Shack mikes have a limited life span: they'll
work great for a few weeks then die a quiet death. the one I have now is
working, but I don't know for how long; it may stop working for a week
or more-- or it may not ever work again. Does anyone know why these
microphones are so unreliable (besides being cheap)? Or better still, a
simple way to keep them working? Ron

Okay... I see why they fail, but why the failure, then after a week or a
month, it works again for a while?

Ron

Intermittent.

Take one apart. Got VOM ?

If it has a battery, corrosion in the battery compartment is the most
likely cause. Whilst zinc-carbon batteries produce corrosion that is
usually fairly obvious, the corrosion from alkaline batteries is
sometime impossible to see. Luckily it is easy to remove with a cloth
dampened with tap water or with a wetted nylon scouring pad.

Don't forget to clean the battery as well as the contacts in the holder.
If that cures it, throw away the original battery and buy a good quality
one.


--
~ Adrian Tuddenham ~
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www.poppyrecords.co.uk